I had been looking for a way to write a sort of road trip-like story about a boy and his dog, and I thought using a robot and his dog could be a great way to explore artificial intelligence and how memories can be interpreted as well as explore the bonds between humans and animals, and humans and semi-inanimate objects.
Joey Rodriguez – 7 May 2020
The Back Flap
An old enemy has returned. Dormant for only two decades, the rising sun stormed the beaches and the wide avenues to avenge their defeat. Just a boy and his dog; he a nearly obsolete model, her a pure breed. Left to fend for themselves during the invasion, JoJo, as his family affectionately called him, must wrestle with his metal construction, his childish memories, and the fact that he will never become human. His father’s own experiences in the Last Great War, painful and victorious, have bred fear, doubt, and distrust in them all.
But the world has been far from kind, the survivors hoarding their resources, firing blindly into the atomic remains of what they had proudly cultivated. Lost now in a world he thought he knew, his family’s shadows fading quickly, there is much to learn about the hierarchy of man and where a small android and his loyal best friend fit in.
About the book
What is the book about?
JQR is about a product line of androids programmed with the memories of deceased loved ones. It has been two decades since the end of World War II, and life appears to be wholesome, stable, and hopeful. JoJo, the hero of the story, and his dog, Pickles, however, are suddenly separated from their human family when a paramilitary force destroys his hometown with an atomic bomb and begin the makings of a nationwide invasion. They soon set off on an adventure to reunite with their family and determine what caused the unexpected show of force.
When did you start writing the book?
November 2018.
How long did it take you to write it?
About 18 months.
Where did you get the idea from?
I have always been interested in the Atomic Age and the exciting twists and turns that design, fashion, music, and movies took since the end of World War II, and I really wanted to explore what a semi-post-apocalyptic world would look like if the mid-1960s suddenly became the entry point for a new order. I had been looking for a way to write a sort of road trip-like story about a boy and his dog, and I thought using a robot and his dog could be a great way to explore artificial intelligence and how memories can be interpreted as well as explore the bonds between humans and animals, and humans and semi-inanimate objects. I am also a big fan of Westerns and Japanese cinema from the 50s and 60s, and to be able to use that as a backdrop was really exciting.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Not particularly. Although finding time to write is always difficult! A majority of this book was written on the subway to and from work.
What came easily?
Definitely the central themes and the use of slightly fictitious references. For instance, a lot of how the main character forms his personality is by mimicking the things he sees and hears. His love of Spaghetti Westerns and mid-60s pop hits allowed me to create parodies of these art types to make the world seem real but also separate from, or adjacent to,our world. A particular scene might recall a Sergio Leone classic, but the scenario, the dialogue, the action is all original.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Though the characters themselves are fictitious, some are based on particular aspects of real people or real scenarios.
Do you have a target reader?
I think anyone who likes a novel that is fast-paced but also takes time to develop characters and scenes in interesting ways, will enjoy this book. I tend to find my favorite films, books, or movies inject a bit of comedy to ground the characters. Comedy is universal, and if there is no satire, or wit, or anything in a piece of work, it becomes difficult to take it seriously because it takes itself too seriously. I think if you like science fiction as a foundation and like it seen blended with other genres, you won’t be disappointed.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I usually start with the cover image first! I try really hard to make each print version of my books a unique experience. I select the font, the look, the overall design to invoke old paperbacks, or literary classics. It helps set the mood for the entire work. Then, I usually do a bit of research on certain topics that I know I’m going to write about. Then I’ll do a rough outline in bullet form. I usually know how the story will unfold, how many chapters there will be, even before the actual meat of it comes together. I generally only write exactly what I want to say on the page. I know some people write, and write, and write, but I am more selective. What comes up on the page is usually my intended choice, and I rarely deviate except to make sure the character’s voices are unique or if my language is borrowing one or two many phrases or words that sound redundant.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I usually make an outline and jot down, beat for beat, what’s going to happen. Certain lines of dialogue that are floating around in my head will find their way here so that I can make sure to include them. As I write, I make sure to double-check this list and ask myself questions, like “If they knew about X-Y-Z in Chapter 1, why did they do this in Chapter 3?”
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
As I finish each chapter, I will reread and edit everything that came before it and make notes in both inDesign and in a version I print out. By the time I finish a book, I’ve probably read it 30 or more times!
Did you hire a professional editor?
No.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes. I usually try to find music that fits the mood of the book itself. I even created a Spotify playlist for my latest book that contains music that inspired me as I wrote.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I don’t really have a lot of time or money to invest in sending out galleys or even finding time to discuss my work. Maybe in the future!
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
As a graphic designer, I wanted a lot of control over the presentation of the book. A hardcover or paperback helps invokes a certain kind of pastime, and I just remember all these classic covers of books when I was a kid that made me want to pick up a particular work. This way, I could design everything and create the experience that I wanted the reader to have. I had wanted from the outset to be in charge, because I knew how the process worked and knew how to lay out a book, etc.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I designed it myself.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m able to pump a little more money into advertising for this release, and I am able to print more copies than I ever have. Giving free copies out to friends and family, as well as working with the reading community for reviews, has been a great way to help launch it more efficiently and with more of a bang than my previous releases.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
I was always inspired by In Cold Blood by Truman Capote because he found a way to turn a real event into something that read like fiction. I think finding a style or voice first is key when beginning your writing journey. I also read a lot of indie books to research what I did and didn’t like about the genre I was writing in. Trust your voice, because there are so many books out there that read the same exact way!
About You
Where did you grow up?
New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Where do you live now?
New York City.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Joon, and my wife and I have a podcast called Pupcorn and a Movie, where we talk about movies. I also design apparel and merch and sell it through my website, notyourplatypus.com, where you can also listen to our podcast and purchase my books.
What are you working on now?
A novella about a French undersea diver and his descent into the ocean to recover something lost to him a long time ago…
End of Interview:
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